by K E O'Connor
I gingerly toed aside a leg bone and found a patch of dirt that had no bones on it. The second I was no longer in contact with the skeleton, I felt better. The ice in my veins thawed and my head cleared.
Were these bones the cause of the problems in the cemetery? They looked old and there was no clothing or hair, suggesting this person had been dead awhile. Could they have been cursed and then placed in this grave? Had someone sneakily dug this hole here and deposited these evil bones to make the dead stir?
I couldn’t leave them here, or they’d keep causing problems. But I also didn’t want to touch them.
I wrapped the sleeves of my sweater around my hands and grabbed a pile of bones. They vibrated in my fingers, not seeming happy that they were being moved.
It felt disrespectful, but I shuffled the rest of the bones around with my feet. Maybe they needed to be in a particular order for the magic to work.
I threw the bones I’d grabbed out of the grave, but I kept being drawn to the skull. I didn’t want to look at it, but it was like I had no choice.
“You’re doing this, aren’t you,” I said to the grinning skull. “What do you want to mess with these nice corpses for? They’ve done nothing to you.”
The skull continued to grin at me.
“Well, since you’ve got my attention, I’ll take you, too. No biting, though.” I grabbed the skull and heaved it over the top of the grave. The second I moved it, the energy changed, and the sinister atmosphere faded.
Great. It had to be the skull. The creepy, leering skull that was the problem.
It took a couple of goes, but I managed to jump and grab a place where the soil wasn’t too soft. I clambered up, threw myself over the side of the grave, and flopped onto my back. The corpses who’d been after me were nowhere to be seen. The skull lay right side up, that same creepy grin on its face. Or was it a snarl?
I rolled over and grimaced at my mud covered appearance. I grabbed the skull and a few of the other bones, tucked them under my arm, and headed back to Shamrock.
He was just where I’d left him, still breathing, but only just.
“I found something. I’m not sure they’ll help us get out, but I think this is the source of the problems Silvaria’s been having.” I held out the skull.
Shamrock shrunk back and hid his eyes behind a hand.
“Yeah, that’s the reaction I felt when I landed on the bones. I’ll try it on the barrier and see if it has any impact.” I jogged over and stuck the skull against the magic barrier.
The competing magic sparked together for a few seconds, but the barrier didn’t lower.
“I guess you’re no help to me.” I tucked the skull back under my arm and returned to Shamrock. “We’re going to have to wait this one out. Give me a few hours, and my magic should be up to defeating this barrier. Can you hold on that long?”
He shook his head.
“Of course you can. You’re a rough, tough scarecrow. It’ll take more than a little battering to defeat you.”
He wheezed out what might have been a laugh, lifted his straw hand, and wiggled his fingers.
I grasped his hand, thinking he needed comfort, but the second I grabbed it, every muscle in my body tightened and the skull fell to the ground. My fingers clamped around his hand and I couldn’t let go. A sweet smelling magic spun around me and the scent of warm, sun-drenched hay filled my nose.
I tried to speak, but my mouth wouldn’t open, and my jaw locked.
My eyes widened. Shamrock was giving me his energy. I wriggled and squirmed, trying to break free, but I couldn’t get away. He had to stop, or he’d die. Maybe he was just a scarecrow, but I was getting attached to this guy. He’d already saved me from some marauding corpses, and it looked like he was coming to my rescue again.
My frozen state didn’t change for several minutes, as his sweet, warm magic twirled and danced around me. Finally, the smell of hay faded away, and my fingers unlocked.
I fell back, my body shaking and full of a strange magic that didn’t feel at home inside a witch’s body. “You didn’t have to do that. I’d have found us a way out.” My fingers and toes tingled, and sparks of bright orange flashed across my palms.
Shamrock gave a slight nod of his head. The light died in his eyes, and he heaved out a final sigh.
I dropped to my knees. “No! Don’t go. I’ll get help. You need to keep on breathing. Odessa will fix you, I know she will.”
Shamrock lay there, nothing more than a damaged pumpkin with a straw body, dressed in oversized farm workers’ clothes.
I touched his damaged pumpkin head. “I won’t forget this sacrifice. Thank you.”
I buzzed with energy, and it was an energy I’d struggle to control. It was bright and urgent and kept sparking out of me as if sensing it was in the wrong place.
I picked up the skull and yelped, sending it tumbling to the ground. My hands looked like they’d been burned from where I’d grabbed it.
“I guess you’re not enjoying what’s happening to you,” I said. “But you’re still coming with me. I need to figure out if you’ve messed with these corpses.”
I took off my jacket, grabbed the skull and rolled it in it. I still felt the unpleasant magic seeping out, but at least it wasn’t burning me.
The more exposure I had to this magic, the more it felt familiar. And it had a similar feel to the magic that had infected me when I was seventeen. This must be the work of the coven. The chaos in the cemetery was just another way they were messing with Witch Haven.
“You’ve failed this time,” I muttered. “The corpses aren’t going anywhere, and no one else is getting hurt.”
I set down the skull in my jacket, and carefully moved my scarecrow friend to one corner of the cemetery, so he’d be out of the way and unnoticed. I didn’t want to return and find he’d accidentally been put in the trash or recycled as pig feed.
I stroked Shamrock’s cheek and gave it a quick kiss. “Just you wait, you’ll be back to your old self in no time.”
I collected the bones and headed to the magic barrier. I channeled some of the urgent, spiky scarecrow magic through my hands and leaned hard against it.
It took several minutes, and I was soon gasping for breath and shaking, but the barrier bent. I kept pushing, feeling like I was shoving through sticky tar, but suddenly I was free and out the other side of the barrier.
I heaved out a relieved sigh as I pushed open the gates. Getting through that barrier had drained me of nearly all of Shamrock’s energy, but it had worked.
Now, I just needed to figure out what to do with these evil bones.
Chapter 14
I staggered up the porch steps of Magda’s house. I stopped before opening the door. There was no way I was taking these creepy bones inside my house. I didn’t want them messing with the chilled vibes.
I headed back down the steps and concealed the bones in a storage shed, before locking the door. Once my magic was recharged, I’d take a good hard look at them and see what I could find out.
I headed back to the house and opened the door. I took a step inside and froze. Someone was moving about on the floor above me, and the noises being made were coming from something too big to be any of my familiars.
I poked my head into the living room. I’d already seen Russell sitting on the roof outside. Hilda was hanging from the huge web she’d been working on in the corner of the room, and Nugget was asleep on his pile of towels.
A floorboard above me creaked, and I tensed. Someone must have broken in.
I crept to the foot of the stairs, sparking what little magic I had left, and tilted my head, waiting to see what their next move would be. Was it a lurking corpse that had followed me from the cemetery? Or was something deadlier waiting for me?
There were several quiet footsteps along the corridor, heading away from the stairs. I narrowed my eyes and gritted my teeth as I crept closer. I was down to my last thread of patience. I’d been attacked by corpses, abandoned b
y Silvaria, fallen into a grave, and lost Shamrock. Whoever had decided to break into my house had picked the wrong day to mess with me.
I reached the top of the stairs and spotted someone scurrying away. I blasted out what was left of my magic. The person turned just before the spell hit them.
I gasped. It was Olympus. He staggered back as my magic slammed into him. Fortunately for him, I had barely any power left, so the only thing my spell damaged was the huge bouquet of roses he held.
“Olympus! What are you doing creeping around up here?” I stalked toward him.
“Waiting for you.” His gaze was on the ruined bouquet.
“I thought you were an intruder. I could have killed you.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He thrust out the charred flowers. “I got these for you. I’m so glad you’re back. When you were taken, I thought the worst.”
I ignored the burnt offering as my gaze ran over him. He was freshly shaven, smelled amazing, and wore a tuxedo with a perfectly tied black bowtie.
He stepped closer. “You are okay? I tried to find you, but you’d vanished. I looked everywhere.”
“I’m fine. Silvaria and I had some business to take care of. I’m not understanding this, though.” I gestured at his outfit. “Are you going to the opera or something?”
Olympus grinned. “This is for you. Do you like it?”
“Um... you really shouldn’t have. I’m more of a faded jeans and leather jacket kind of woman. Although it’s a step up from your Magic Council suits. They make you look uptight. And I’m glad you ditched the regulation work hat. No one can pull that off.”
“Come with me, I have something to show you.” Olympus grabbed my arm and yanked me into the main bedroom.
Uh, oh! It looked like Valentine’s Day had snuck in and thrown up. The floor of my bedroom was covered in rose petals, scented candles burned on the dresser, and there was champagne on ice standing by the bed.
“I knew you’d come back to me,” Olympus said.
“How did you know that? I could have been taken by the witch coven.”
“You’d have defeated them, because you’re an amazing witch. That’s why I love you. And we’re meant to be together. Nothing will keep us apart for long.”
My cheeks heated. “Less of the love talk, or the intense let’s be together forever stuff.”
“Never. When I couldn’t find you, I thought I’d do something fun for your return.”
I glanced at him, wondering if this was a joke, but the look on his face was deadly serious.
“You can expect this every day when we’re married. I wanted to give you a taste of things to come.”
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. “Olympus, we’re not getting married, and you don’t want to marry me.”
He dropped to his knees and produced the ring again. “I do. And I’ll keep asking until you say yes. I’m not giving up on us. And if the ring is the problem, I can change it. You can have whatever ring you like.”
“There is no us. You have to stop doing these romantic gestures. It’s weird.”
He stood slowly and looked around. “Don’t all women love flowers and to be romanced?”
I pursed my lips. “I don’t love flowers. Once they’re made into bouquets, they’re basically dying or dead. They live a few days in water, but you’re really only looking at rotting flowers in a vase. Get me a pot plant next time. Something hard to kill. A cactus would be good. I like those.”
“Got it. No bouquets. Anything else?” His expression was so eager that I had to throw him a bone.
“I’m not a big drinker,” I said. “Any more than two drinks, and I get a headache. I like hot chocolate, though.”
“No champagne. Fine. How about the candles? Every woman likes scented candles.”
I shook my head. “Unless I’m using them to cast a spell or center myself, scented candles give me a throbbing head. It’s the smell, it’s too overpowering.”
His shoulders sagged. “I’ve done everything wrong. I tried to woo you and it failed. No wonder you won’t accept my hand in marriage. I’m a terrible suitor.”
I gave his arm a brief pat. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not yourself. And the Olympus I know would never do anything like this. You charm woman with your sarcasm. Although that’s probably why you’re still single.”
“Huh? And you like that? You like me being mean to you?”
“Sarcasm’s not about being mean to someone. It’s funny.”
“Then I shall be as horrible to you as I can.” He pinched my arm. “How’s that?”
I rubbed my arm and stepped back. “That’s not sarcasm, that’s domestic violence. Let’s change the subject. I’ve had one heck of a day, and I need to relax.”
Olympus clasped his hands together. “I know something you’d like.”
“A sit down, a cup of coffee, and to be no longer troubled by dark magic?”
“No. This.” He grabbed my face in his hands and planted a huge kiss on my lips.
I struggled in his grip and shoved him away. “Olympus! That’s inappropriate. You’ll regret doing that when you stop being such a weirdo.”
“I thought you’d like it. You don’t like kissing? Couples in love do that all the time.”
“First off, we’re not a couple. And second, we’re not in love.” I held up a hand to stop him protesting. “You’re being messed with. Everyone who was in the cemetery the night we fought the corpses isn’t behaving like themselves. And this isn’t you. You don’t want me.”
A stubborn look crossed his face. “I do. And I want the real you, not this leather-clad minx you’re hiding behind.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You’re the one who turned me into this leather-clad minx. You chose the crazy eyeliner, tight pants, and funky hair. You could have made me look like a sensible librarian when you picked the magic disguise.”
“Let’s remedy that.” Olympus grabbed me again and kissed me. This time, the kiss had no hint of romance. It was full of magical intent, and that magic swirled through me, tingling my skin. The kiss swiftly grew intense as he held me against him.
I staggered back and gasped. That had been one heck of a magic-filled kiss. I’d felt it all the way down to my toes.
Olympus looked pleased with himself as he watched me sway. “How was that? Did you like that kiss?”
“That was...” I looked down at myself. I was back in my old clothes. I pulled a strand of hair in front of my face. My snarly dyed purple hair was also back. I dashed to the mirror. Yep, so was my old face. I was me again.
“Does that make you happy?” Olympus said.
I grinned at my reflection. “Yes! This is perfect.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but that’s all I want to do. My purpose in life is to make you happy.”
It was nice to hear someone say that, even though there was no truth behind those words. So, I simply nodded. There was no use fighting someone under a magical delusion. The more I fought Olympus, the more he’d dig in his heels and try to convince me it was all true.
It was time to play along. “Thanks, Olympus. The magic disguise was handy, but too many people have seen through it, Silvaria Digby included. And I feel better looking like myself.”
“You really like it? You just ask, and I can change your appearance to whatever you want. Did you mention a librarian?” He lifted his hand.
“Nope. I’m good with being me.”
Olympus walked over, and it looked like he was leaning in for another kiss.
Just for a second, I was tempted to let him lock lips with me again. That last kiss had been out of this world, but then it was full of magic, so the sparks should have flown.
I rested a hand on Olympus’ chest and gently pushed him away. “We need less romance, and more action. I found something bad in the cemetery.”
His forehead wrinkled, then he stepped back and nodded. “What can I do to help?”
“You can help, so l
ong as you promise to keep those lips and those hands to yourself. And don’t ask me to marry you again.”
“Never?”
I hesitated. “Not for at least another ten years.”
He pouted. “I guess I can wait. We can have a long engagement.”
I huffed out a laugh. I had to give Olympus top marks for perseverance. “That’s sounds great. Now, I need you to help me figure out how these clues fit together. You do still remember you work for the Magic Council?”
“Of course. I need a good job to keep you in the manner you’re accustomed to.” He glanced around my tired bedroom. “Or the manner we’ll figure out together. One with newer furniture.”
I shook my head. “Follow me.” We needed to have this conversation on more neutral ground, where we weren’t surrounded by romantic gestures that made me uncomfortable.
Olympus eagerly hurried down the stairs behind me and into the living room.
I settled on the couch, and he sat next to me, way too close. I shuffled to one side, making sure there was a respectable gap between us. “I think I found the source of the trouble in the cemetery. Someone dug a grave and placed a skeleton in it. I fell into the grave after being chased by corpses—”
“I should have been there to protect you. You shouldn’t have to deal with corpses and skeletons on your own. I’m a terrible husband to-be.”
I gritted my teeth and pressed on. “The second I moved the skull, the magic shifted. I think this skull holds a lot of power.”
Olympus nodded, a fierce intensity on his face. “I’ll destroy this skull for you. It would be my honor.”
“Not yet. There’s something I need to figure out about the skeleton in that grave. When I touched the bones, the magic felt familiar. I’m sure it’s the same magic the witch coven used to bespell me and Magda all those years ago.”
“I’m sure whatever you say is right. When would you like me to destroy the bones? I must make sure you’re not at risk.”